Wii 2 codenamed ‘Project Café’ + April pre-announcement + new specs [Updated!]

UPDATE: As readers Jikayaki and TheDude3445 pointed out, the technical specs regarding the CPU, GPU, and RAM are purely speculation on 01.net’s part. I’ve crossed the specs in question out to reduce confusion.


IGN has a boatload of info on the Wii 2, together CVG and the French site 01.net. Because there’s so much of it, I’ll list it off in point form to make it easier for you to digest.

  • the console’s codename is ‘Project Café’
  • Nintendo’s aim is to recapture the hardcore market
  • a “pre-announcement” is coming later in April, with the full reveal set for E3 (expect this to be something fairly small, like a press release)
  • the console uses an all-new controller, not a redesigned Wii Remote
  • the controller has a six-inch HD single-touch touchscreen
  • the controller has dual analog sticks, a D-pad, and trigger buttons
  • the controller also has a front-facing camera
  • full games can be streamed to the controller’s screen; it’s supposedly like a miniature television
  • the console is backwards-compatible with Wii software (no word on GameCube games or HD output)
  • the console uses a custom triple-core IBM PowerPC CPU
  • the GPU is a solution by ATI from the R700 family with shader version 4.1
  • the console has at least 512 MB of RAM
  • architecture is similar to Xbox 360 and could easily support Wii and GameCube games

Hoo, now there’s a lot to take in after all these months of nothing but dry rumours and Pachter’s doomsday forecasts.

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Comments, Reactions, and General Hooliganism

  1. Jikayaki

    Majority of the information released regarding “Project Cafe” if the rumors are true (which IGN and GameInformer seem to think so) is very vague at least regarding hardware specifics. The article from 01Net for instance is full of speculation based on apparently very vague information. Both the three core custom IBM CPU, ATI R700 family GPU, and the statement of at least 512mbs of RAM are speculation on 01Net not facts. It appears they were told the console was similar in architecture to Xbox 360, has a new controller, and is an HD console with unspecific capabilities. These matches up with the vague information given to GameInformer, IGN, ext other than the fact several sources are stating it is superior to current HD consoles.

    Note the only things supposedly given by “sources” to these websites is that it is capable of 1080p, is an HD console, has a new controller with Gamecube gamepad like functionality, Wii remote pointer and motion control capabilites, and a 6″ touch screen capable of streaming video and games from the console. Added to that from the 01Net article is apparently similar architecture design to the Xbox 360 and possibility it uses a custom IBM CPU and ATI GPU. Nothing concrete about hardware capabilities has been released in any rumor.

  2. http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1162212p1.html

    IMO this IGN article is the best summary of the Project Cafe rumors so far. I say rumors only because some of the hardware information is conflicting. This is definitely real.

    • Jikayaki

      The hardware information is conflicting because majority of it is merely speculation regarding very vague information given by “sources” several of these gaming media sites seem to trust. Outside the controller it appears hardware information has been merely its capable of HD resolutions, similar hardware design to Xbox 360, backwards capability will Wii and Wii accessories, and with a few sources to IGN and Kotaku stating its significantly more powerful than current systems. Everything else is merely speculation including 01Net’s specs, which are their guess based on at the moment very vague information.

  3. Wolvesgod

    the only reason people are saying these rumors, are because of the current price deduction plans. Yes Nintendo said they will only announce a new console when the Wii hit 45 million, and is ~41 million, right now… But… don’t get your hopes up, just yet. yes people were really close to, if not on the bullseye with the details of the PSP2, NGP, but it was because from a VIP of a game developing company. it’s hard to see Nintendo drop the motion sensing in the Wii controller.

    And on the plus side, it will be a real good strategy, to announce the product before Sony releases their NGP, because it will distract people’s attention from that system, and will focus on their product, just like how Sony did that with their NGP when it was semi close to the 3DS launch.

    • Jikayaki

      No actually the reason people are believing these rumors is that GameInformer, IGN, CVG, Kotaku, 01Net, and Edge have all reported similar vague info from “sources” they appear to trust. A considerable amount of whats floating around in the net is an out of control rumor mill that always happens when something like this leaks. In reality even regarding the controller it appears info is quite vague with merely several “sources” mentioning its capabilities and features. Motion control doesn’t seem to be dropped Edge’s sources report the controller has motion sensing capabilities beyond Move.

  4. wiiboy101

    so the future of gaming is a””” CLASSIC PAD”””!!! total and utter horse crap dropping motion is going backwards not forwards and totally removes the wiiness of the device……………….
    so in this Gen i play COD via a gamers mouse,,, then next Gen on wii 2 ill have to RETRO CLASSIC control COD via a second analog stick so did nintendo remove the second screen from 3DS because that’s exactly how this is going… ANTI NINTENDO HOGWASH. total anti nintendo viral wii hating campaign pure and simple and IGN obsession with wii2 is clearly TROLLING .

    how does a classic pad have above move and wii motion controls IT WOULD BE A SIXAXIS THE LEAKS CONTRADICT THEMSELVES OVER AND OVER AGAIN

    the leaks also have anti nintendo wii lies in them example follows…..nintendo got it right this time NO GIMMICKS…..

    excuse me wiimote and nunchuck are no gimmick and wii not right is total horse shit as its the fastest selling console in history and the most profitable console in history so how was it NOT RIGHT mii confused billion in profit vs billions in loss for HD twins HUH………..

    but a touch screen with detachable nunchck 2 wiimote 2 does sound kinda interesting

    • Jikayaki

      The “Project Cafe” rumors are painting the picture of anything, but the classic gamepad. According to the rumors it does have dual analog sticks and a classic gamepad’s general functionality, but some how retains motion control with new features like a touch screen. It seems Nintendo (if these rumors are true) made the controller capable of tradition gamepad functionality to please 3d party developers, but the touch screen and improved motion control are fully capable of continuing the innovation of the Wii. I have no idea what sort of controller with this sort of functionality could look like. In my opinion it has to be modular in nature with an evolved touch screen Wii remote that fits into a gamepad shell that gives traditional gamepad functionality. If “Project Cafe” is real it seems to be built with 3D party in mind and like it or not 3D party see motion control as a gimmick. It isn’t and neither is a touch screen, but its going to take time for such technologies to be fully excepted by 3d party much like the analog stick at first.

  5. Wolvesgod


    Jikayaki:

    No actually the reason people are believing these rumors is that GameInformer, IGN, CVG, Kotaku, 01Net, and Edge have all reported similar vague info from “sources” they appear to trust. A considerable amount of whats floating around in the net is an out of control rumor mill that always happens when something like this leaks. In reality even regarding the controller it appears info is quite vague with merely several “sources” mentioning its capabilities and features. Motion control doesn’t seem to be dropped Edge’s sources report the controller has motion sensing capabilities beyond Move.

    I’m still a little, heh, about the rumors though. yeah it’s about the time for Nintendo to show us a new console to enjoy. But what about their co-patent with In-Phase technology… I really hope nothing bad happened to that patent. 🙁 I will really honestly hate to see Blu-Ray in the system, I want to see something, if not better equal quality without needing to use Blu-Ray. XD you can say i’m seriously against Sony. lmao.

    • Jikayaki

      Inphase ran into financial issues and closed down for a short time before gaining new ownership. Because of this it is my opinion that enough progress to make Inphase’s holographic storage disks and drives viable for anything outside high capacity server storage may not of happened. It was all ways a possibility Inphase/Nintendo patent was meant for something further down the line like N7 not N6(Wii 2). Blu-Ray holds more than enough space for next generation games. A faster drive than that found in the PS3 will solve a few issues and until a resolution above 1080p becomes standard Nintendo may not see the need for holographic storage because games realistically don’t need that level of storage.

  6. WiiSyndicate

    I like all of the “creative” Specs that people tend to throw around about the Wii2.

    My favorite is the “Blu-Ray” rumor, seeing how blu-ray is already at the end of its life. Even sony has announced its ultra-violent laser to replace blu-ray because there have media formats in development for years that can squash it. Nintendo had even bought stock in a company that developed holographic-memory. And who cares about blu-ray media, nintendo did not even care about dvds and streaming is more popular.

    We have NO clue what nintendo will put in it’s next system but I can tell you it NEEDS!
    It NEEDS to be on par or better with the PS3 and it NEEDS to be on par or better with the PS3s pricing.
    If nintendo (or microsoft for that mater) releases a new system that can barly do what a PS3 can and price it at the typical $300-$500 new system price, sonly will just say “Our system is better, cheaper, and it already has a large collection of games.”
    Sony’s last gen flop could turn into next gen’s winner.
    Remember, one reason why the Wii dominated was because of the friendly pricing. current systems are now lightyears behind PCs and development is taking a hit. You hear alot about devs now wanting to focus more on PC because of the limitation on gaming systems.